Toto Wolff addresses lost Mercedes 'home run' over Ferrari claim

Toto Wolff has conceded the 2026 F1 season will not be a "home run" for Mercedes after rival teams put up a better fight at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Brackley-based squad eased to victory at the opening two rounds of the campaign, but another win was not assured at Suzuka, with Oscar Piastri, in particular, proving tricky to deal with.

Kimi Antonelli ultimately prevailed, underlining a seemingly new reality: that Mercedes is still comfortable when ahead, but not guaranteed to work its way through traffic — but that was also made more difficult at a circuit that is notoriously difficult to overtake at.

With F1 not racing in Bahrain or Saudi Arabia in April due to the war between Iran, the United States and Israel, the teams have been afforded an unusually large and unexpected spring break before the Miami Grand Prix at the start of May.

Fred Vasseur anticipated the paddock would use that time wisely, and that when F1 reached Florida, a different championship would await — a prediction strengthened by the talks between the FIA, F1 and its teams, which will likely yield regulations refinements ahead of the trip to the Sunshine State.

"Yeah, it's exciting," Wolff told media, including RacingNews365, when the Ferrari team principal's comments were put to him.

"I think we would have maybe wished that it continued over into the two Middle Eastern races, and we can score a few more points, but I agree, it could well be the case.

"The teams have learned, and the drivers are starting to learn how to optimise these systems to their benefit, and we've seen that first indication.

"What looked like a home run in the first two races for us isn't the case, and we've always warned [of that]."

The Mercedes boss was also questioned on whether the eight-time F1 constructors' champions would bring upgrades to Florida to hold off the opposition.

The Austrian added: "And yeah, Miami is going to be, for me, also a restart: How are the upgrades going to work, that people are bringing? How have we optimised all the other systems? It's going to be exciting."